Tottenham and Man City are stepping up their pursuit of ‘this’ star.
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have stolen a march on Arsenal in the race to sign Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali this summer.
According to transfer expert David Ornstein via Last Word On Spurs on X, both clubs are pursuing the Italian international with far greater intensity than their north London rivals. While Arsenal hold a long-standing appreciation for the €80m Tonali and have explored a potential deal for this window, their interest has not translated into the active, aggressive pursuit currently being mounted by Spurs and Manchester City.
Ornstein laid out the current state of play clearly, stating:
“Arsenal have had a long-standing interest in Sandro Tonali, and I’m sure they’ve explored it again for this summer. However, right now, I don’t know of them pursuing it in the way that Tottenham [Hotspur] & Manchester City appear to be.”
For Roberto De Zerbi, leading the chase for Tonali represents a monumental statement of intent for Tottenham’s midfield rebuild. The Italian playmaker possesses the precise elite press-resistance, defensive bite, and progressive passing profile required to anchor De Zerbi’s tactical system next season. By targeting a player of Tonali’s calibre, the club’s hierarchy is signaling an aggressive push to elevate the first-team squad following a turbulent domestic campaign that saw them narrowly preserve their top-flight status on the final day.
Tottenham show greater urgency than north London rivals
The update emphasizes a distinct shift in momentum at the top tier of the transfer market. While Arsenal appear content to bide their time, Tottenham’s recruitment team is operating with maximum urgency to hand De Zerbi his primary targets before pre-season begins.
Securing Tonali would comfortably represent the crown jewel of an already explosive summer window at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The club has already aggressively reshaped its roster by securing deals for Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, and Jan Paul van Hecke, whilst remaining firmly locked in high-profile pursuits for Mateus Fernandes and Savinho.
Fending off Manchester City for Tonali’s signature remains a steep challenge, but Tottenham’s willingness to guarantee him a focal, starring role in their new-look midfield gives them a powerful chip at the negotiating table. The opportunity to become the undisputed engine room leader under De Zerbi’s progressive blueprint provides a highly persuasive alternative to competing within City’s heavily rotated squad depth.
